Creating Dances - 3

1. Creating Dances - 3 Motif & Development

2. Objectives • Recognise motifs • Know how to create & develop motifs

3. What is a Motif • A movement or phrase of movements that embodies the style & content of the dance • It can be manipulated & developed in many different ways • Generally consists of actions & has dynamic quality & spatial design It can be as simple as a spiral • performed as a turn with arm gestures, • then as a travelling pathway • and finally as a group shape

4. Why are motifs important Motifs are essential ingredients which can be • Varied • Repeated • Developed And help structure and organise the dance

5. Why are motifs important • A 2 or 3 minute dance will contain a number of motifs (try to aim for at least 3) • Motifs are helpful to the audience as they communicate the style & meaning of the dance & help the audience to process what they see • You will be assessed on how effectively you develop & link motifs in your solo composition • and on how successfully you select & structure material to communicate you idea in your main choreography

6. Recognising Motifs • The central solo for Bird Song has a key motif that is repeated & developed • It consists of the torso arching & the arms lifting above the head as if the lungs are expanding • In this motif, movement & sound (the call of the Pied Butcher Bird) become one • Look at the set dance that you learned with Jo. • Identify the key movements & phrases that are repeated & developed

7. How to develop a motif (group) • These can be developed in exactly the same way as a solo • You have more opportunities to vary the body, actions, dynamics & space between dancers • You can develop relationships in time and space • You can use numbers differently

8. Ways in which a motif can be developed

9. Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif

10. Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif Use different body parts

11. Ways in which a motif can be developed Feet Head Motif Arms Use different body parts surfaces hands joints legs

12. Ways in which a motif can be developed Add Actions Motif

13. Ways in which a motif can be developed roll travel jump turn Add Actions Motif stillness balance fall gesture

14. Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif Change or vary space

15. Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif level shape Change or vary space size direction Design eg curvedangular, symmetric assymetric

16. Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif Change or vary dynamics

17. Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif Speed weight Change or vary dynamics energy Flow Accent or stress

18. Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif Change order Of actions

19. Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif Change order Of actions Add or take away actions

20. Ways in which a motif can be developed roll Feet Head travel jump turn Add Actions Motif Arms Use different body parts stillness balance surfaces hands fall joints legs gesture level Speed Change order Of actions shape Change or vary space weight Change or vary dynamics size energy direction Design eg curvedangular, symmetric assymetric Flow Add or take away actions Accent or stress